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Young talent on display over Easter

Young talent on display over Easter

Welsh Schools Under 16, England Schools Under 16, France Under 17 and Italy Under 17 will pit their wits against each over Easter in a tournament that is sure to provide an insight into some of the future stars of the game.

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And if you are passing any one of the three venues for this month’s 4 Nations Under 16/17 Tournament – that’s Cardiff, Llanelli and Llandovery – be sure to nip in and take a look.

After all, if coach Simon Davies’ Class of 2009 are as successful as so many other Welsh age grade sides of the past, there might just catch a glimpse of the next Leigh Halfpenny, Jamie Roberts or Dan Biggar.

This season’s Wales Schools Under 16 side is every bit as impressive as the teams that have brought such success to the national game in years gone by. Brimming over with talent, the side will go into the April festival of rugby with clear ambitions to repeat the success of last year when they enjoyed a 100 per cent record in the competition which took place in and around Lyon, France.

And for Davies, who is hoping to further improve his chances of joining the elite young coaches in Wales, the attitude of his players in the build up has, so far, been exemplary.

“There are two aims for us as coaches and for the players too. Of course, winning is all important to the players and to be honest, since we first came together as a squad, it is what they are all talking about in training.

“I have no problem about that whatsoever although at the same time, as a coaching team, we are looking to help these boys take the next step in their development. We have to marry the two and make sure that you have improving players playing in an improving side. I think we have that.

“Then, if we can guide these players through to the next step, it will be a double achievement. Personally I am looking forward to the games with great hope.”

So, if all 26 players from Davies’ squad this season can make it through to the under 18s, at the same time as notching up three victories in their own backyard, this campaign will be seen as another resounding success.

That goal is certainly not out of the question, despite the strength of opposition. After all, last season, in Lyon, the under 16s swept through their games unbeaten and came home boasting the title of 4 Nations winners.

The competition comes at the end of another outstanding season, not only for the Welsh Schools Rugby Union but for the Welsh Rugby Union’s Age Grade Championship too.

And for Davies, selection has been made that much more simple with all of the nation’s top young players featuring in the six regional sides competing in the Age Grade Championship.

“The age grade system is great, the best it ever has been,” said Davies, whose own playing experience took him from Ammanford to Cardiff, on to Newport and back again via Rumney.

“You get the chance to see the best players playing against each other on a regular basis and at a high intensity.

“The system now, compared to when I was at school, is so much better and the players are clearly benefiting from it.”

Tickets for each matchday in the forthcoming tournament are £5 for adults, £3 for concessions and Under 12s go free.

Fixtures
Match Day One – Thursday April 9, Llandovery
Wales v France (2pm); Italy v England (4pm)
Match Day Two – Sunday April 12 Parc y Scarlets
Wales v England (2pm); France v Italy (4pm)
Match Day Three – Wednesday April 15, Cardiff Arms Park England v France (2pm); Wales v Italy (4pm)

Wales squad: Backs: Luke Treharne (Scarlets/ St Michaels), Gethin Hunter (Scarlets / Lampeter CS), Harry Robinson (Blues / Radyr CS), Nathan Brooks (Ospreys / Birchgrove CS), Iolo Evans (Gogledd, Ysgol Syr Hugh Owen), Ciaran Driscoll (Blues / St Cyres CS), Thomas Pascoe (Blues / Cardinal Newman RCS), Matthew Roberts (Blues / Llantwit Major CS), Jordan Williams (Scarlets / Coedcae CS), Lewis Williams (Blues / Tonyrefail CS), Jean-Baptiste Bruzulier (Blues / Whitchurch HS), Lewis Jones (Blues / Ysgol Gyfun Garth Olwg)
Forwards: Samson Lee (Scarlets / Coedcae CS), Tom Jones (Blues / Aberdare Boys CS), Nathan Bowen (Scarlets / Ysgol Uwchradd Aberteifi), Darran Harris (Blues / Brecon HS), Jack Dando (Blues / Porth County), Jonathan Elley (Blues / Hawthorn HS), Jack Jones (Ospreys / Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera), Matthew Screech (Blues / Porth County), Jon Gardiner (Scarlets / Ysgol Gyfun Bro Myrddin), Reuben Tucker (Blues / Cowbridge CS), Richard Bloomfield (Scarlets / Queen Elizabeth HS), Calum Thomas (Blues / Tonyrefail CS), Ellis Jenkins (Blues / Bryn Celynog CS), Will Thomas (Ospreys / Brynteg CS)

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